Third Point Re Announces Fourth Quarter 2020 Earnings Results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. ("Third Point Re" or the "Company") (NYSE:TPRE) today announced results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020.

Earnings Summary

Third Point Re reported net income available to common shareholders of $134.4 million, or $1.43 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $29.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Third Point Re reported net income available to common shareholders of $143.5 million, or $1.53 per diluted common share, compared to net income available to common shareholders of $200.6 million, or $2.16 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

"For the fourth quarter, we produced a return on equity of 9.4% driven by strong investment performance. Our diluted book value per share at the end of the quarter was $16.42. The combined ratio for the fourth quarter was 123.0%, which included $37.2 million, or 20.4 percentage points on the combined ratio related to prior year reserve development where we increased certain casualty reserves in response to our accumulated loss experience and the broader industry trends of social inflation. Our fourth quarter results also included $18.6 million attributable to catastrophe losses and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, for a total impact of 10.2 percentage points on the combined ratio," commented Dan Malloy, Chief Executive Officer. "Our previously announced merger with Sirius Group is expected to close on February 26 and we are looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues."

Sid Sankaran, Chairman of the Company commented, "While we are not satisfied with the underwriting results in 2020, with the exceptional talent, global footprint and robust balance sheet of the combined company, we will have a strong base for building an innovative, disciplined and sustainable business. We are aiming to enhance our existing relationships and improve the economics of our key lines of business, while looking at ways that we can grow intelligently and leverage technology to improve how we manage risk, use data and develop new strategic opportunities."

Additional Information on Financial Results

The following table shows certain key financial metrics for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Property and Casualty Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written

Gross premiums written increased by $31.4 million, or 23.4%, to $165.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 from $134.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The increase in gross premiums written was primarily due to $45.5 million of new casualty premium written in the period, including $19.0 million from Arcadian.

Gross premiums written decreased by $43.8 million, or 6.9%, to $588.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 from $631.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in gross premiums written was primarily due to certain contracts that we did not renew, including certain contracts which no longer fit our underwriting criteria as a result of our shift in underwriting strategy. This decrease was partially offset by new contracts bound in the current year.

Net underwriting results

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred net catastrophe losses of $7.0 million, net of reinstatement premiums and profit commission adjustments, or 3.8 percentage points on the combined ratio, primarily related to Hurricane Delta and Hurricane Zeta, compared to $16.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2019, or 8.2 percentage points on the combined ratio, primarily related to Typhoon Hagibis.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred net catastrophe losses of $36.6 million, net of reinstatement premiums and profit commission adjustments, or 6.0 percentage points on the combined ratio, related to Hurricane Laura and other 2020 catastrophes, compared to $29.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, or 4.1 percentage points on the combined ratio, primarily related to Hurricane Dorian, Typhoon Faxai and Typhoon Hagibis.

The COVID-19 outbreak is causing unprecedented social disruption, global economic volatility, reduced liquidity of capital markets and intervention by various governments around the world.  For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, we recognized net losses of $11.6 million and $46.7 million, respectively, net of additional premiums, or 6.4 and 7.6 percentage points, respectively, on the combined ratio, relating to COVID-19. These losses were driven primarily by event cancellation, property business interruption, and certain casualty and multi-line quota share contracts.

The economic impact of the ongoing pandemic will continue to create uncertainty around the ultimate scope of claims and potential for additional insurance losses. Our estimate is based on currently available information provided by cedents. These estimates include losses only related to our estimate of claims incurred as of December 31, 2020.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an increase in net underwriting loss of $37.2 million and $34.6 million, respectively, related to net adverse development of prior years' loss reserves net of the related impact of acquisition costs. The adverse underwriting loss development is a result of accumulated loss experience and cedent reserving increases, indicating that underlying casualty loss trends are higher than initial pricing and reserving, consistent with the industry impact of social inflation. In addition, the current elevated level of uncertainty makes historical data less applicable for future projections, and has contributed to an increase in the estimate of ultimate losses on certain accounts.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a net $1.1 million and $5.4 million improvement in the net underwriting results, respectively, related to net favorable development of prior years' loss reserves net of the related impact of acquisition costs.

Investments

The following is a summary of our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment return for our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment income for our total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

The following is a summary of the net investment return by investment strategy on total net investments managed by Third Point LLC for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the net investment results were primarily attributable to long event/fundamental equities. Activist positions also performed strongly, helping offset losses earlier in the year in this category. The credit strategy contributed gains from both the corporate credit and structured credit portfolios. In the other strategy, gains were driven by private investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the net investment results were primarily attributable to long event/fundamental equities, in particular a renewed focus on growth and technology positions. Short equity investments and hedges partially offset overall gains for the equity strategy. Investments in investment grade corporate credit and residential mortgage backed securities contributed strong performance in the credit strategy. The other strategy contributed modestly to net gains for the year due to private investments.

Sirius Merger

On August 6, 2020, Third Point Re, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Company, Sirius International Insurance Group, Ltd. ("Sirius"), a Bermuda exempted company limited by shares, and Yoga Merger Sub Limited ("Merger Sub"), a Bermuda exempted company limited by shares and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Sirius (the "Merger"), with Sirius continuing as the surviving company in the Merger, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company is to be renamed SiriusPoint Ltd. following the Merger.

The total deal consideration was estimated at the time of announcement as $788.0 million, which comprises stock, cash, and other contingent value components.

We have received all required regulatory approvals, and we expect the Merger to close on February 26, 2021.  Please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2020, for additional description of the Merger and related transactions.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2020 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 24, 2021. The call will be webcast live over the Internet from the Company's website at www.thirdpointre.bm under the "Investors" section. Participants should follow the instructions provided on the website to download and install any necessary audio applications. The conference call will also be available by dialing 1-877-407-0789 (domestic) or 1-201-689-8562 (international). Participants should ask for the Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. fourth quarter earnings conference call.

A replay of the live conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call. The replay will be available on the Company's website or by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the replay passcode 13716402. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 3, 2021.

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. The Company cautions you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek," "comfortable with," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from the Company's expectations due to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these risks and factors, they include, among others, the following: results of operations fluctuate and may not be indicative of our prospects;  a pandemic or other catastrophic event, such as the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, may adversely impact our financial condition or results of operations; more established competitors; losses exceeding reserves; highly cyclical property and casualty reinsurance industry; losses from catastrophe exposure; downgrade, withdrawal of ratings or change in rating outlook by rating agencies; significant decrease in our capital or surplus; dependence on key executives; inability to service our indebtedness; limited cash flow and liquidity due to our indebtedness; inability to raise necessary funds to pay principal or interest on debt; potential lack of availability of capital in the future; credit risk associated with the use of reinsurance brokers; future strategic transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, mergers or joint ventures; technology breaches or failures, including cyber-attacks; lack of control over Third Point Enhanced LP ("TP Fund"); lack of control over the allocation and performance of TP Fund's investment portfolio; dependence on Third Point LLC to implement TP Fund's investment strategy; limited ability to withdraw our capital accounts from TP Fund; decline in revenue due to poor performance of TP Fund's investment portfolio; TP Fund's investment strategy involves risks that are greater than those faced by competitors; termination by Third Point LLC of our or TP Fund's investment management agreements; potential conflicts of interest with Third Point LLC; losses resulting from significant investment positions; credit risk associated with the default on obligations of counterparties; ineffective investment risk management systems; fluctuations in the market value of TP Fund's investment portfolio; trading restrictions being placed on TP Fund's investments; limited termination provisions in our investment management agreements; limited liquidity and lack of valuation data on certain TP Fund's investments; fluctuations in market value of our fixed-income securities; U.S. and global economic downturns; specific characteristics of investments in mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities, in securities of issues based outside the U.S., and in special situation or distressed companies; loss of key employees at Third Point LLC;  Third Point LLC's compensation arrangements may incentivize investments that are risky or speculative;  increased regulation or scrutiny of alternative investment advisers affecting our reputation; suspension or revocation of our reinsurance licenses; potentially being deemed an investment company under U.S. federal securities law; failure of reinsurance subsidiaries to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements; changes in Bermuda or other law and regulation that may have an adverse impact on our operations; Third Point Re and/or Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. ("Third Point Re BDA") potentially becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation; potential characterization of Third Point Re and/or Third Point Re BDA as a passive foreign investment company; subjection of our affiliates to the base erosion and anti-abuse tax; potentially becoming subject to U.S. withholding and information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act; risks associated with the failure to complete, or the failure to realize the expected benefits of the merger with Sirius International Insurance Group, Ltd.; Arcadian Risk Capital Ltd.'s ability to, and success at, writing the business indicated, its expansion plans and the Company's ability to place quota share reinsurance on the portfolio; and other risks and factors listed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic and current disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Financial Metrics

In presenting Third Point Re's results, management has included financial measures that are not calculated under standards or rules that comprise accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such measures, including basic and diluted book value per share and return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders, are referred to as non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. Management believes these measures allow for a more complete understanding of the underlying business. These measures are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures are included in the attached financial information in accordance with Regulation G.

About Third Point Re

Third Point Re is a Bermuda-headquartered holding Company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (TPRE). The Company underwrites Specialty, Property and Casualty business through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Third Point Reinsurance (USA) Ltd., which both have 'A-' (Excellent) financial strength ratings from AM Best. With offices in Bermuda, New Jersey and London, the Third Point Re companies specialize in finding innovative solutions for niche and complex risks.

Contact

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.
Christopher S. Coleman - Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
+1 441-542-3333

THIRD POINT REINSURANCE LTD.
NON-GAAP MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS & KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Non-GAAP Measures

Basic Book Value per Share and Diluted Book Value per Share

Basic book value per share and diluted book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures and there are no comparable GAAP measures. Basic book value per share, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders by the number of common shares outstanding, excluding the total number of unvested restricted shares, at period end. Diluted book value per share, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, we assume that proceeds received from in-the-money options and/or warrants exercised are used to repurchase common shares in the market. For unvested restricted shares with a performance condition, we include the unvested restricted shares for which we consider vesting to be probable. Change in basic book value per share is calculated by taking the difference in basic book value per share for the periods presented divided by the beginning of period book value per share. Change in diluted book value per share is calculated by taking the difference in diluted book value per share for the periods presented divided by the beginning of period diluted book value per share. We believe that long-term growth in diluted book value per share is the most important measure of our financial performance because it allows our management and investors to track over time the value created by the retention of earnings.  In addition, we believe this metric is used by investors because it provides a basis for comparison with other companies in our industry that also report a similar measure.

Return on Beginning Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Third Point Re Common Shareholders

Return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders, as presented, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income available to Third Point Re common shareholders by the beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders. We believe that return on beginning shareholders' equity attributable to Third Point Re common shareholders is an important measure because it assists our management and investors in evaluating the Company's profitability.

Key Performance Indicator

Net Investment Return on Investments Managed by Third Point LLC

Net investment return represents the return on our net investments managed by Third Point LLC, net of fees. The net investment return on net investments managed by Third Point LLC is the percentage change in value of a dollar invested over the reporting period on our net investment assets managed by Third Point LLC. The net investment return reflects the combined results of our investments in TP Fund, collateral assets and certain other investment assets managed by Third Point LLC. Net investment return is the key indicator by which we measure the performance of Third Point LLC, our investment manager.

SOURCE Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.